Beginning Aug. 16 smoking is banned in parks and facilities in downtown Renton, including Piazza Park, Gateway Park, the former Big 5 lot, and the north side of the Renton Pavilion Event Center.

Renton City Council revised the parks rules and adopted an ordinance July 13 to make it illegal to smoke in parks and facilities close to the Renton Transit Center. Smoking has been banned by King County Metro in the Transit Center and as a result the city has seen an increase in smoking and a littering of cigarette butts around the adjacent parks and facilities.

“The smoking ban is part of our commitment to clean up and revitalize downtown Renton, and create a welcoming place that encourages development and investment in our city,” Mayor Denis Law said in a press release.

It is a civil infraction to violate this ordinance and the penalty is a $250 fine. Renton police will initially issue warnings to inform and educate the public about the smoke-free policy.

Signs have been posted in each of the locations downtown notifying the public of the ban. Visitors who refuse to comply will be cited and may be asked to leave and ultimately face the possibility of expulsion. While it will not be considered a criminal offense, Renton police officers will be enforcing these rules.

Smoking is defined by Washington state law as the carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted smoking equipment, including marijuana.